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The mayor of Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward on Tuesday implored individuals to keep away from the favored district on Halloween, citing security issues for the day that normally attracts massive crowds of partygoers yearly.
Ken Hasebe stated it will “not be stunning” if an accident just like the one which occurred in Seoul final yr additionally occurred in Shibuya, referring to a deadly overcrowding incident within the neighboring nation.
Over 150 individuals had been killed within the crowd crush on Oct. 29 in Seoul’s Itaewon leisure district after tens of 1000’s gathered to affix the primary Halloween revelry since COVID-19 restrictions had been eased.
Ken Hasebe, mayor of Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward speaks at a press convention on the ward workplace on Sept. 12, 2023. (Kyodo)
“I do not need individuals to return to Shibuya in the event that they’re solely coming for Halloween,” Hasebe instructed a press convention, including that the district isn’t a celebration venue.
Consuming on the streets has turn into normalized on the day, with fights and huge quantities of trash additionally posing security dangers, he stated.
Many individuals, together with guests from overseas, are anticipated to converge within the district, recognized for its iconic scramble crossing, for Halloween after the nation downgraded the authorized standing of COVID-19 to the identical as seasonal influenza earlier this yr.
Individuals stroll in costume at a scramble intersection in Tokyo’s Shibuya space on Halloween on Oct. 31, 2022. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
The Tokyo ward will ban ingesting round Shibuya Station from the night of Oct. 27 by way of early Nov. 1, and shops across the space will likely be requested to limit alcohol gross sales on Oct. 28 and 31. About 100 safety guards are anticipated to be deployed, whereas the district will amp up messaging for inbound guests.
Hasebe additionally requested individuals to chorus from coming to the world in 2020 and 2021 throughout the pandemic.
Associated protection:
Halloween revelers fill Shibuya with safety tight after Seoul crush
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